It's probably no secret by now that Germans have a 'complicated' relationship with superstar Tom Cruise. But they seem to be softening just a little. Variety reports that Bryan Singer's Valkyrie will be given the go-ahead to film at the historic location of Bendlerblock; a memorial shrine to the German officers who conspired to assassinate Adolf Hitler, and the location of their executions. The site is maintained by the German finance ministry and initial requests from director Bryan Singer to film on location at the site were refused. According to Thorsten Albig, a spokesman for the finance ministry, "The latest request by the film team was given a positive answer...There was a different feeling about the project. We will take a closer look with director Bryan Singer at the location and, while ensuring that the dignity of the shrine is protected, see what's possible and what's not".

Valkyrie is the story of Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg, and the failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. Joining Cruise are Tom Wilkinson, Bill Neighy, and Kenneth Branagh. Written by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) and Nathan Alexander, the historical drama has had its share of complaints from both antecedents of von Stauffenberg as well as those who were worried that Cruise would be using the film to promote Scientology. But according to Variety, opinions have changed, saying that the initial refusal to allow Singer into Bendlerblock "...sparked a wave of support for the film from leading German newspaper columnists and filmmakers, including Wolfgang Petersen. They admonished their countrymen for being small minded, ignoring the chance to share von Stauffenberg's story with a global audience and demonstrate that there was in fact resistance to Hitler". Valkyrie is currently shooting on location in Berlin, and set for release on June 27th, 2008.